Page 6 of Remember Always

“He’s going to love it,” she said just as Erik started dishing out food. She took a big bite of eggs from the plate Jase set in front of her before meeting my eyes. “Link, Andy would have married you in a hot second if you’d asked years ago. It’s going to be perfect.” She patted my hand like she would reassure a child and immediately went back to eating.

After everyone had their fill of food and plenty of coffee in them, we all walked out of the house and toward the barn. Darren, Andy’s dad, sent a text saying he’d gone to the house and woke Andy up. I immediately got a text from Andy asking why his dad was there, but I was gone. Shoving my phone in my pocket and hoping Blair was right, I walked into the barn without answering, and hoped Darren could keep Andy busy.

Erik and Sam had painted the old barn, and it was now a bright red with white trim, far different than the grey weathered wood it had been for many years. It was an average size barn thathad been used as a small dairy in the fifties. The center area that was once where bales of hay were stacked and stored was now filled with rows of chairs. The far end of the barn would be where we’d stand to take our vows. My mind raced with images of the two of us, so real it took my breath away, and I swallowed down my emotions as everyone got to work finishing the decorations. They’d placed flowers along the stalls giving a very country look that was also warm and inviting. Intermingled with the flowers were pine boughs that not only looked amazing but combined with the flowers made the barn smell incredible. The picture I’d had made for us would be on a tripod atop a table next to where we’d stand. Fresh cut flowers in small jars were placed on the table making it really stand out.

“Come on, Link, let’s get it done before Andy starts sniffing around,” Stu said. “Morgan and I are going to work on clearing that stall area so we can set up the bar there. The other side will be where we’ll setup the food. Does that sound good to you?” he asked while Morgan put his arm through Stu’s and waited for me to answer.

“It sounds great. I love the idea of there being a bar area in here.”

“We have a dance floor being delivered. I mean we could have just danced outside but we figured a few less broken ankles was probably a good thing.”

“Wow, I never thought of that. Let me know how much it costs, and I’ll pay you or whoever paid for it. That’s a great idea.” There were so many little things I’d forgotten about, and they’d all been taken care of by one of our friends or family.

“It’s on us. Morgan and I wanted to pitch in,” Stu said and pulled Morgan close. I still couldn’t get over the change in him since meeting Morgan. He had found happiness I never imagined he’d find, and knowing Morgan was the reason it made me like him even more.

“Thank you. I know Andy is going to love it.”

“They’ll be here to install it first thing in the morning. They don’t want it outside in the elements for any longer than is necessary. We got lucky there’s no rain or fog predicted.” He looked out through the big barn door where the foothills sloped down to the valley floor and smiled at the bright fall day.

“So, when are you two getting hitched?” I asked, and immediately Morgan blushed, and Stu grinned.

“Hopefully soon. I keep asking him but he’s playing hard to get,” Stu said.

“That’s not true,” Morgan said and gave him a playful shove. “I just want it to be special, and a surprise. He keeps asking me every time I walk into the room.”

“I’ll keep asking until I get it right,” Stu responded, making Morgan smile at him. Stu and Andy hadn’t always had a close relationship and seeing him with Morgan made me wonder how lonely he’d been without any of us noticing. Morgan made him happy, and Stu made Morgan smile like he hung the moon.

“Oh my god I see another wedding in our future.” Toni said exactly what I was thinking as she stopped to give us all a hug.

“Toni, I didn’t know you were here.”

“I brought over the alcohol and drinks we’ll need for the bar. Mind if I start setting it up?”

I waved her through with a wide sweep of my arm. “Yell if you need help,” I said as she walked past us.

“Oh, I’m only setting it up, you guys are hauling it in. There’s no way I’m carrying all those bottles and a keg.” She walked off without another word, leaving us to it.

Seven

Andy

“So, whereisLink?” I asked as my dad drove us to Colusa to pick up the tuxes. “I thought we were both going?”

“He had something he needed to take care of, but he wanted to be sure you picked up both tuxes and that you had time to rest before tomorrow,” Dad said like it should have been obvious, but none of it was obvious at all. I stared at his profile a little too long before finally deciding to trust him and Link and hope for the best. “I thought maybe you and I could go for a burger at the old drive-in. We haven’t eaten there in a long time.”

“Sure, I wouldn’t mind at all.” I thought about it, and this was the first time I’d spent time with my dad for more than a few minutes in ages. He was busy most of the time, and when I washome, I was focused on Link. “So, it seems Link made plans he didn’t tell me about.”

He grinned at me before reaching across and patting my knee. “You could say that. Take my advice, Andy, enjoy it while you can. You two are so busy, you need to learn to embrace the times you have together and take advantage of the time you’re not working.”

Dad had been retired for a few years, and he was always helping someone, either at home or at Stu and Morgan’s, or at any of their friends’ who didn’t have anyone else they could call. “I was thinking maybe I’ll cut down to only one day a week in Sacramento. There’re a few really good salons around here now. I think I’ll go check and see which ones would be a good fit and ask if they have any available space. I hate the idea of starting over, but maybe some of my clients would be willing to drive here. At least for a while.”

“Oh, Andy, that would be great. I know you were anxious to leave Occident, but Link loves it here, and you two are so happy together. Your mom and I would love to see more of you both.”

“You see Link every day,” I said, and he burst out laughing.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Him and your mom like their afternoon coffee break.”

Link had always been close to my parents, but especially my mom. He’d confessed his love for me to her long before he got up the nerve to finally tell me. Memories of the past few years flowed through my mind as we drove along the familiar road with country music playing softly in the background. “I never thought I’d end up living in Occident. But Link would never be happy in the city, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him. I think working here is a good choice. I won’t know for sure until I try it, but I know I want more time with him, not less.”

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